What Ink Does the HP DesignJet T120 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: the HP DesignJet T120 uses HP 711 ink — four cartridges, plus a separate HP 711 printhead (C1Q10A) that is a user-replaceable part in its own right.
The mistake that costs the most here is HP 712. The 712 family looks almost identical and fits the newer DesignJet T210, T230, T250, T630 and T650. It does not fit a T120. Going the other way, if you actually own a T630 or T650, 711 will not fit either. Check the model badge before ordering.
HP DesignJet T120 ink at a glance
| Item | Family | Part Number | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | HP 711 | CZ129A | 38 ml |
| Black (large) | HP 711 | CZ133A | 80 ml |
| Cyan | HP 711 | CZ130A | 29 ml |
| Magenta | HP 711 | CZ131A | 29 ml |
| Yellow | HP 711 | CZ132A | 29 ml |
| Cyan 3-pack | HP 711 | CZ134A | 29 ml each |
| Magenta 3-pack | HP 711 | CZ135A | 29 ml each |
| Yellow 3-pack | HP 711 | CZ136A | 29 ml each |
| Printhead kit | HP 711 | C1Q10A | — |
Note that large-format ink is sold by volume, not by page yield — there is no ISO page figure for these cartridges the way there is for a desktop printer. The only yield guidance HP publishes for this class is roughly 20 ml per 101 A1 pages, including the ink used by maintenance routines.
The black comes in two sizes, 38 ml and 80 ml. On a plotter doing line drawings, black is what you will actually consume, so the 80 ml is usually the better buy.
The printhead is a consumable too
This is the part desktop printer owners do not expect. The DesignJet T120 has a single user-replaceable printhead covering all four colors, sold as kit C1Q10A. HP describes it as long-life and designed to last the life of the printer, and publishes no replacement interval — you replace it on failure or when print quality cannot be recovered by cleaning, not on a schedule.
Be realistic about what a new printhead will and will not fix, though. On HP's own community, owners hitting "missing or failed printhead" have replaced the printhead and seen the same error return, with experienced responders pointing at the carriage board instead. Update the firmware and re-run the printhead installation routine before you spend anything.
Castle Ink recommendation
Castle Ink stocks the HP 711 family with OEM chips so the plotter reads levels correctly:
- HP 711XL 5-Pack (2 black plus cyan, magenta, yellow) — $80.95, the sensible restock for a working plotter
- HP 711 80 ml Black (CZ133A) — $16.99
- HP 711 29 ml Cyan (CZ130A) — $14.99
- HP 711 29 ml Magenta (CZ131A)
- HP 711 29 ml Yellow (CZ132A)
Straight about scope: we stock the ink, not the C1Q10A printhead. If yours has genuinely failed you will need that from HP or a large-format parts supplier.
About the HP DesignJet T120
A 24-inch entry-level large-format plotter, print only — no scanner. Around 70 seconds per A1 page, roughly 40 A1 prints an hour, 256 MB of memory, and connectivity over 100Base-T Ethernet, USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi. It handles roll and sheet media and has an automatic cutter.
HP has superseded it — its store points to a newer model — but HP 711 remains widely available and these machines last a long time in architecture and engineering offices.
Common problems on this model
"There is a problem with the printer or ink system"
The most-reported fault on the T120, and an awkward one because it can be genuine or spurious. Work through it in order: update the firmware, then check every cartridge is fully seated with clean contacts, then re-run the printhead startup routine. Owners on HP's own community have replaced both printhead and all cartridges without clearing it, so do not assume parts will solve it — a carriage or main board fault is possible.
Automatic cutter not cutting cleanly
HP has a dedicated troubleshooting document for cutter faults on this series. Check for media debris in the cutter path first, and confirm the media type set in the driver matches what is loaded — the cutter behaves differently on film and heavy stock.
Banding or line-thickness errors
Run the printhead cleaning routine, then a printhead alignment, then a color calibration for the loaded media. On a plotter, alignment matters more than it does on a desktop printer because line work exposes it immediately.
Roll media jams or will not load
Make sure the roll is seated tightly on the spindle and that the leading edge is cut square. A loose roll is the single most common cause of skewed loading on this generation.
FAQ
What ink does the HP DesignJet T120 use?
HP 711 in black, cyan, magenta and yellow, plus the HP 711 printhead kit C1Q10A.
Does the T120 use HP 712?
No. HP 712 fits the DesignJet T210, T230, T250, T630 and T650. The T120 and T520 are the HP 711 machines.
What about HP 727, 728 or 730?
Different large-format families entirely. HP 727 fits the T920, T930, T1500 and T2500; HP 728 fits the T730 and T830; HP 730 fits the T1600, T1700 and T2600.
How long does the printhead last?
HP publishes no interval and describes it as long-life. Replace it when cleaning no longer recovers print quality, not on a schedule.
Which black should I buy, 38 ml or 80 ml?
The 80 ml (CZ133A) on any plotter doing regular line work — black is the color you will burn through.
Shop HP 711 now
The 711XL 5-pack covers a full restock. Different plotter? Find yours on our Find Ink by Printer page.
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